PITTSBURGH – The ACC experienced a significant player returning to the conference Tuesday as Jeremy Roach will return to Duke. The Blue Devils potentially aren’t done adding top talent. Syracuse also landed a transfer within the ACC in Naheem McLeod from Florida State.
Duke Guard Jeremy Roach to Return to Blue Devils Next Season
Duke veteran guard Jeremy Roach is returning to the Blue Devils for a fourth season. Roach declared for the 2023 NBA Draft while maintaining his collegiate eligibility in April but ultimately returns to a loaded Duke roster. After further examination, Roach will return to the ACC and team up with Kyle Filipowski, Mark Mitchell, Tyrese Proctor, and a talented freshmen class.
The 6-foot-2 Duke team captain started 30 of 32 games and averaged a career-best 13.6 points and 2.5 rebounds. He added 3.1 assists in over 33 minutes each time on the floor. Roach is a career 42.7% shooter in three seasons and knocks down 33% of attempts from three. He was an integral part of Duke’s 2022 Final Four team, who lost to North Carolina in New Orleans. Jon Scheyer enters his second season with a potential top-five team and the top candidate to win the ACC.
2024 Four-Star Prospect Tyler McKinley Cuts List to Seven Programs
One of the top high school prospects is narrowing his list of potential schools. 204 four-star prospect Tyler McKinley has narrowed his decision to seven programs, including Virginia Tech. According to Joe Tipton of On3, McKinley also has interest in Xavier, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Alabama, and Tennessee. A 6-foot-9 Cincinnati native, McKinely ranks No. 59 nationally by Rivals.com and is the 11th-best center in the class.
Former Kansas Forward Ernest Udeh Jr. to Visit Duke
The Duke Blue Devils may become an even clearer favorite to win the ACC in the next coming days. Former Kansas forward and McDonald’s All-American Ernest Udeh Jr. will visit Duke Tuesday. Recruiting expert Andrew Slater said Monday the 6-foot-11 transfer will also visit TCU and Kansas State after the dead period ends. Udeh Jr. played 30 games off the bench for the Jayhawks and averaged 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. He dominated close to the basket, making 34-of-45 (76%) attempts from the floor. Udeh Jr. was slotted as a top-40 prospect by Rivals.com out of high school.
Florida State Transfer Naheem McLeod Commits to Syracuse
Naheem McLeod is staying in the ACC. The former Florida State big told Tipton he is transferring to Syracuse. McCleod played 28 games for the Seminoles and averaged over 13 minutes per appearance. He totaled 3.8 points and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 54.7% during his sophomore campaign. He paced at 4.5 points his freshman year and shot 68% overall.
Syracuse enters a new era with Adrian Autry replacing Jim Boeheim after 47 seasons. The Orange lost Joe Girard III and Jesse Edwards to the transfer portal. Syracuse missed the NCAA Tournament and was knocked out by Wake Forest in its lone ACC Tournament game.
So, Pitt is not part of the Magnificent 7 group that is looking into ways to break the ACC GoR. Does that mean that these 7 schools are looking to set up their own conference, or possibly join other conferences ?